How to fight attacking dog?

Would noise, such as an air horn, have any deterrent effect?

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Sometimes, it works surprisingly well. Any loud, sudden noise that startles the dog out of his "zone" can usually end an attack as suddenly as it started. Once, when picking up a pair of fighting dogs for a rescue, one got loose and attacked the other one. Nothing I did made a dent...until I fired a round into the ground close to the battling pair. The fight stopped, and they trotted off in opposite directions.

I'd like to implore everyone to learn to read dogspeak. Understanding the subtle signs of an impending attack goes a long way toward avoiding it altogether by not giving the dog a reason. In most bites and attacks, the human target is part of the triggering process.

Especially, learn how to talk dogspeak. I see so many mistakes made...innocently...that I'm surprised that there aren't more people hurt every year.

For instance...Kneeling and "hugging" your dog with one arm around his back to his chest, and the other pulling him close to you is risky. Most dogs don't like it, although most tolerate it well if the dog completely trusts the hugging party. They read it as a dominant gesture, and one that also controls the dog's movement and escape route. You may get away with it for years...until one day, you don't...and there you are, on your way to the ER and the dog is on his way to the gas chamber.

Putting your face close to his and kissing is another one that makes me shudder. That's strong dominant behavior to the dog. You're not only looking him in the eye...a direct challenge...but you're invading his space in a very personal way with one of the most vulnerable parts of your body.

Both of these mistakes usually go without incident, especially with an Omega or even a Beta dog. With a strong Alpha/Dominant male or female...it could get you disfigured or killed. It doesn't take a large dog to reach the carotid artery.

If, during pushing these buttons, you're also a stranger to the dog, you're playing a very dangerous game. Ask yourself how you'd react if a perfect stranger approached you...got into your personal space...and started pawing at you.

1911Tuner said:

Ask yourself how you'd react if a perfect stranger approached you...got into your personal space...and started pawing at you.

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You mean like some people (usually women) do when they meet a woman that is pregnant?

"If they have a collar and its already that close run your hand through it and twist it. When you cut their air off they settle right down."


Be careful with that one. My loving Lab dislocated my finger when I got in the collar and she twisted.

The things that I've noticed in this thread is there seems to be a line drawn between less lethal methods and immediately going for the gun. As with any other physical encounter with the possibility of things going badly wrong, the gun is often seen as a first response...and I know that sometimes that's the only viable alternative. I love dogs as much as anybody and more than most, but not enough to let one gnaw on me. I've had to shoot two dogs myself, and while it's not something that I look back on with any sense of pride...I do know that if I hadn't, I wouldn't likely be here to tell the tale.

And...as with any potentially dangerous encounter...avoidance is the best policy. If we can avoid the threat, or shut it down before it goes sideways, the better for all concerned. Firing at a fast-moving animal in an urban setting is extremely risky, and even getting to your gun in time to get a bead on a dog that suddenly charges from out of the blue is pretty "iffy" in itself. A dog coming at you in a dead run can cover 50 yards quicker than you can believe until you've seen it.

But fortunately, those are fairly rare. Most of them give ample warning that an attack is coming by their posture and their body language. Most of them would much rather that you retreat and stop whatever it is that triggered their fight or flight response because the dog knows instinctively that combat carries a risk of injury.

Distance is friend to you and dog alike. Stop and slowly retreat by backing up. Cross the street carefully. Your proximity is the trigger. Get out of his territory. Increasing the distance makes the dog feel less threatened by your appearance, and most of them will turn and trot back to their post while watching you over their shoulder.

And again, I can't emphasize carrying a walking stick often enough. Shooting a dog...even an aggressive dog that's raised complaints from the locals...can elicit a bad response from the dog's owner, but it would be a completely unreasonable person to have a serious problem with using a stick to ward off his dog. You'd literally have to shoot the dog off of you after his teeth had done damage before many people would accept it...and even then, some would vow revenge.

Avoidance. Less than lethal response. Above all, learn to "read" the dog's more subtle warnings before he's close enough to require any physical response at all.

And carry a walking stick. That's what they're for.

I do not much care whether it is a real or a fake pit bull. Loose dogs that show aggression towards other dogs or humans need to be dealt with.

While I agree that the people who own them (or previously owned them) are the real problem, that is not much help when you are attacked by an aggressive dog. Kill it and be done with it. The real answer comes from finding the owner and suing the SOB for letting the dog loose so it can attack you.

All of this nonsense about what is and is not a pit bull is unimportant and serves no real purpose. What people think is a pit bull actually does matter, despite what may or may not be legalistically a pit bull.

All loose dogs are a threat and need to dealt with. Call animal control on all unknown loose dogs. If there is no animal control to call, and a few places do not have them, if it is a rural area and the dog is aggressive, do everyone a favor and dispatch the dog. If no animal control, call 911 and report a vicious dog.

Personally, I like most dogs. I have a nice beagle. They are usually pretty friendly and rarely show any aggression other than to slobber all over you. I would hate to have to kill any dog, but once it attacks me it is no longer protected AFAIAC.

The odd part about this whole conversation about what is and is not a pit bull is that so called experts cannot even agree amongst themselves what a pit bull is. Our local animal control typically has 20-30 dogs up for adoption at any one time. Most are labeled as "pit bulls". If they are as rare as another poster is trying to suggest, there would not be all that many of them listed that way. I do not much care for semantics here.

I also do not much care about the claim pit bulls are just misunderstood. That is probably true, but loose aggressive dogs are always a problem. I do not much care what breed it is. And going off on these pit bull tangents, which is almost inevitable when people talk about aggressive dogs, seems to me to serve no purpose.

I run across loose dogs from time to time while hiking. I carry a hiking stick made from a shovel handle. Any aggressive dog that chooses to invade my space will get the stick treatment. I have only run into a few on the trails, and so far they have all responded appropriately to the "NO" command and backed off before I needed to stick them.

I don't use the stick when walking in town for some reason. The only loose dog I ever came across was a pit bullish puppy who followed me around one morning. I was going to just let him come home with me, but he decided to go to the local grocery store instead.

Another time I found a pit bullish type dog cowering in my bushes after the fireworks on a 4th of July. No collar. Very friendly. Took him to the pound. Pretty sure this was before the pound would adopt out pit bullish dogs. I did not want another dog and there was not much else I could do with him.

Personally I am more afraid of Rotts than any other breed. Everyone I have run across is downright aggressive and unfriendly. And so were the people that owned them.

All of this nonsense about what is and is not a pit bull is unimportant and serves no real purpose. What people think is a pit bull actually does matter, despite what may or may not be legalistically a pit bull.

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All of this nonsense about what is and is not an assault rifle is unimportant and serves no real purpose. What people think is an assault rifle actually does matter, despite what may or may not be legalistically an assault rifle.

See how that works?

I agree that any aggressive dog should be dealt with accordingly...but killing should be a last resort rather than a first response.

Last night, I watched two Pits play like puppies. When one nipped a little too hard, the other chastised her, and she immediately went into a submissive bow in apology...and they carried on.

This morning, the Chihuahua bit the new one full on the face. She yipped lightly, and turned from him without so much as a snarl. So, rather than lumping all Pitbulls and what we perceive as Pitbulls into the "Vicious/Dangerous" category, let's try to judge the individual dog on his or her merits. The majority of them are good...like the majority of gun owners.

1911Tuner said:

All of this nonsense about what is and is not an assault rifle is unimportant and serves no real purpose. What people think is an assault rifle actually does matter, despite what may or may not be legalistically an assault rifle.

See how that works?

I agree that any aggressive dog should be dealt with accordingly...but killing should be a last resort rather than a first response.

Last night, I watched two Pits play like puppies. When one nipped a little too hard, the other chastised her, and she immediately went into a submissive bow in apology...and they carried on.

This morning, the Chihuahua bit the new one full on the face. She yipped lightly, and turned from him without so much as a snarl. So, rather than lumping all Pitbulls and what we perceive as Pitbulls into the "Vicious/Dangerous" category, let's try to judge the individual dog on his or her merits. The majority of them are good...like the majority of gun owners.

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guns are inanimate objects that do not have any independent means of doing anything. dogs have a mind of their own. stop obsessing over what is or is not a pit bull. It serves no purpose to compare it to guns as they just are not comparable.

if attacked by a dog do what you have to do. stick the dog, bear spray it, or shoot it. I do not really much care at that point. best bet is to firmly tell the dog "NO" first. Many will respond to that. if they don't, do what you have to do and don't worry all that much about whether it is a pit bull or not.

if attacked by a dog do what you have to do. stick the dog, bear spray it, or shoot it. I do not really much care at that point

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No argument there. If an attack begins, do what is necessary to end it...but avoiding it is the best policy...with man or dog.

guns are inanimate objects that do not have any independent means of doing anything. dogs have a mind of their own. stop obsessing over what is or is not a pit bull. It serves no purpose to compare it to guns as they just are not comparable.

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And like the gun, the dog is mostly what we make it. Dogs...Pits or otherwise...generally don't like to fight. Pits, especially. They fight/attack because they feel that it's the master's desire that they fight. After a few fights to season them, they come to understand that they're literally fighting for their lives...and they start to see another dog as a threat.

One of the dogs that I described in the last post came from a fighting bloodline. Once she realized that fighting wasn't on the table any more, she turned into a puppy.

If the master teaches the dog...Pit or otherwise...that people are threats to be dealt with, the dog will respond accordingly.

So animal with a will of its own or gun with no will of its own are both subject to the will of the crank at the bank. Both can be used as weapons...or not.

Lumping one breed of dog into a negative category based on its bloodline alone is as senseless and as wrong as lumping a particular gun into a negative category.

Incidentally, one of the dogs described in the last post came from a fighting bloodline. Once she realized that fighting wasn't on the table, she turned into a puppy.

If you've got an unreasoning fear of Pitbulls, or what you perceive as Pitbulls...I'll extend an open invitation to come here and interact with some real Pitbulls. You'll come away with a different viewpoint, as several other people with Pitbull phobias have. Almost without exception, the responses have been: "Well! They're not killers! They're just dogs!"

And they are.

This reminds me of the fear that people have of stallions. So many folks think that they can't be controlled.
Our stallion was required to be a well-behaved horse, intact jewels notwithstanding. At horse shows people were always amazed.

Obviously "big headed dogs" (BHD) can do more damage than the dogs that bite more often (toy breeds). But expecting that the BHD to be more likely to be vicious is silly.

BTW, the stick is a great idea.

Seems like one of those retractable steel batons would be convernient to carry and pretty easy to use.

Obviously "big headed dogs" (BHD) can do more damage than the dogs that bite more often (toy breeds). But expecting that the BHD to be more likely to be vicious is silly.

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This.

This "Pitbull" thing is nothing more than fear-mongering, and it's led to some dangerous precedents.

A town in Missouri is rounding up dogs that look like Pitbulls by going door to door and demanding to see all dogs in the household. No warrant. No probable cause. They're taking all "Bully" breeds and killing them as soon as they get them to the shelter. Boxers...English Bulldogs...American Bulldogs...and even Boston Terriers have fallen victim to their statute. Never mind that the dog hasn't bitten or even threatened anyone. If it looks like a Pit...or rather what they think a Pit looks like...it's dead.

And the most frightening thing is that so many people are on board with this. The townspeople should be up in arms.

Seems like one of those retractable steel batons would be convernient to carry and pretty

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When I delivered pizzas back in the day, I did carry a collapsible baton, OC and my P99. I never had to use the baton or thankfully the P99, though I did have to OC dogs on 4 separate occasions. There are a lot of careless, negligent, and ignorant dog owners out there.

I also had to put my hand on my P99 under my coat more than once, though that's beyond the scope of this thread.

Scariest dog I ever encountered was an aggressive St Bernard. Still gives me the shivers - dog was tethered and was typical of tethered dogs in its aggressiveness.

My last pit encounter was when I was riding my bicycle. Surprised him as he slept under a bush near the road, he jumped up, huffed loudly, and started chasing me. Thought I was lunch. But he swerved to the far side of the road and just wanted a run. If dogs could smile, he was.

Worst dog bite was from a GSD. One of the best dogs I had was a GSD.

The MO town removing bully dogs is just crazy. Pits = Assault Weapons. Crazy, and the comparison is valid (valid in its ridiculousness, Assault Weapon = 10/22?). A large Airedale would scare me at least as much as a pit - maybe more because I know what they can do to a pit bull.

And pits are not special in the way the bite, their jaws don't lock, they're just big strong dogs. With "Terrier" as the last name. The determination that a Terrier - regardless of size - will show once the fight starts is impressive (just watch my rat terrier). Thanks to the drug dealers and gang bangers, Pits have simply been given a bad name.

Chows, Malmutes, Newfoundlands, Labradors, Beagles, mutts - if not trained well they can be aggressive, and if they have turned aggressive they are a problem. Frankly, a 160 pound Newfoundland or St Bernard that wants my ass would be much scarier than a 50 pound pit bull.

Man, rounding up boxers and english bulldogs.....or pits, or whatever....just based on appearance is pretty stupid. Does the gun analogy fit here?

A veterinary technician once told me that if need be, you may quickly seize an attacking dog with both of your hands spread wide around such a dogs neck. If you squeeze hard enough, the dog may give up fighting, and then you may guide its head downward. I once had to employ that tactic toward a determined attacking dog. It completely changed the dogs game plan. The dog appeared to be having a seizure when I released my grip and gave it to the owner who carried it away.

I was defending myself. I had been bitten multiple times, at a wrist, the other elbow, and both shoulders while I was standing. I came to realize that the dog was trying to knock me down. The dog had a bad day, and I had soreness for about two weeks from fingertips through forearms. Also I got a customized longsleeve dogbite shirt.

1911Tuner said:

This.

This "Pitbull" thing is nothing more than fear-mongering, and it's led to some dangerous precedents.

A town in Missouri is rounding up dogs that look like Pitbulls by going door to door and demanding to see all dogs in the household. No warrant. No probable cause. They're taking all "Bully" breeds and killing them as soon as they get them to the shelter. Boxers...English Bulldogs...American Bulldogs...and even Boston Terriers have fallen victim to their statute. Never mind that the dog hasn't bitten or even threatened anyone. If it looks like a Pit...or rather what they think a Pit looks like...it's dead.

And the most frightening thing is that so many people are on board with this. The townspeople should be up in arms.

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Seems the original report didn't have all the facts.

http://www.ohmidog.com/2012/12/08/missouri-town-denies-pit-bull-roundup/

Seems the original report didn't have all the facts.

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Good to know that it was reported in error...or maybe it was because of the flood of protests. I know that there were several groups looking at that situation, ready to go fight city hall.

We're working to get BSL stopped in my home county. Any Pitbull surrendered is killed immediately. Strays are held for half the time allowed others...and gassed. The Lexington town council is rattling about making them illegal to possess within the city limits, with any within the town proper being seized without cause. We're fighting it hammer and tong.

At one time, they let'em go to certified rescues...but that stopped last year. Same for Rottweilers. They've killed a lot of good dogs down there, and the residents are all over it.

1911Tuner said:

No argument there. If an attack begins, do what is necessary to end it...but avoiding it is the best policy...with man or dog.



And like the gun, the dog is mostly what we make it. Dogs...Pits or otherwise...generally don't like to fight. Pits, especially. They fight/attack because they feel that it's the master's desire that they fight. After a few fights to season them, they come to understand that they're literally fighting for their lives...and they start to see another dog as a threat.

One of the dogs that I described in the last post came from a fighting bloodline. Once she realized that fighting wasn't on the table any more, she turned into a puppy.

If the master teaches the dog...Pit or otherwise...that people are threats to be dealt with, the dog will respond accordingly.

So animal with a will of its own or gun with no will of its own are both subject to the will of the crank at the bank. Both can be used as weapons...or not.

Lumping one breed of dog into a negative category based on its bloodline alone is as senseless and as wrong as lumping a particular gun into a negative category.

Incidentally, one of the dogs described in the last post came from a fighting bloodline. Once she realized that fighting wasn't on the table, she turned into a puppy.

If you've got an unreasoning fear of Pitbulls, or what you perceive as Pitbulls...I'll extend an open invitation to come here and interact with some real Pitbulls. You'll come away with a different viewpoint, as several other people with Pitbull phobias have. Almost without exception, the responses have been: "Well! They're not killers! They're just dogs!"

And they are.

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It all sounds great but matters zero when a dog is attacking someone whether it is a pit bull or some other breed. If the dog is aggressive it needs to be dealt with. We can worry about the finer points afterward.

Incidentally, my SIL has a pit bull (AST variety). Very friendly, kind of a slobberer though and a little high strung for my liking.

It all sounds great but matters zero when a dog is attacking someone whether it is a pit bull or some other breed. If the dog is aggressive it needs to be dealt with.

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And again, no argument.

My point is to learn how to avoid it, rather than being too quick to label a dog as aggressive or dangerous just because it's fearful or defending territory. It's mostly bluff, and few actually attack.

My other point is that Pitbulls are no more likely to attack people...provoked or unprovoked...than any other breed, and far less likely than many. The one breed that I've never been completely comfortable with is the Chow. They're too hard to read.

Finally...again...a simple walking stick is invaluable.

It all sounds great but matters zero when a dog is attacking someone whether it is a pit bull or some other breed. If the dog is aggressive it needs to be dealt with.

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And again, no argument.

My point is to learn how to avoid it, rather than being too quick to label a dog as aggressive or dangerous just because it's fearful or defending territory. It's mostly bluff, and few actually attack. I've handled a lot of dogs over the last 32 years. I've been bitten by fearful and/or injured dogs...but I've never been attacked outright.

One of the most fear-aggressive dogs I've ever seen...a small male Collie...turned out to be one of the best dogs I've ever owned. It took me 6 months to gain his trust, but once I did, he was friendly and completely devoted.

My other point is that Pitbulls are no more likely to attack people...provoked or unprovoked...than any other breed, and far less likely than many. The one breed that I've never been completely comfortable with is the Chow. They're too hard to read.

Finally...again...a simple walking stick is invaluable.

I agree with 1911tuner Pits are great dogs that have a bad name! That fact not withstanding I have lost count of the dogs I had to put down on the farm that people dumped . Living in town since 1986 I had to kill one dog 3 months after the wreak that left me with a limp back in 2006. My solid brass hame topped cane knocked a 25 Cent piece hole in the top of its head and the encounter lead me to get spray and my CCW.

Great looking mag 1911Tuner! I am a life long dog lover!

In the vein of "startling noises" My mother in law carries a 2,000,000 volt Stun-flashlight that emits a truly vicious crackle when fired into the air.

Most dogs have simply turned tail at the sound.

If the sound fails... contact does the job. Sadly I'm unable to convince her to carry a pistol, but the stunlight was a good compromise. (even if not as effective as a TASER)

In the vein of "startling noises" My mother in law carries a 2,000,000 volt Stun-flashlight that emits a truly vicious crackle when fired into the air.

Most dogs have simply turned tail at the sound.

If the sound fails... contact does the job.

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I've seen that "crackle" work, too...but as for contact...I'd be hesitant to trust or recommend it, especially for an older woman.

I've also seen a Chow get hit with a stun gun. All it did was enrage him further, and he sent two AC officers to the ER for stitches.

As the old saying goes: "When the enemy is in range, so are you."

With a large, aggressive dog...and anything over 40 pounds is dangerous if the dog is serious and determined to press the attack...distance is your friend.

Walking stick. Gitcha one.

My dog attack stories:
1. (childhood) My bro was being chased by a dog as he got off the bus. I kicked it in the throat as it ran past me. It threw up and looked at me. I loudly yelled and stepped toward it. It fled. (Dog looked like a lab-mutt)

2. (childhood) On a shortcut thru the woods I heard rustling in the bushes. I tossed a pinecone into the general area I had heard the sound, expecting amorous teenagers to pop out. Instead a dog I thought was a german shepard came onto the trail ahead of me. I froze for a second to see what it would do. It started barking then ran toward me. I grabbed the closest stick (which turned out to be rotten), held it above my head and screamed like the sandpeople did in Starwars. It stopped. I smashed my stick against a tree and pieces of wood rained down all over the trail. It checked behind itself then disappeared back into the bushes.

3. (more recently) Walking my pup I was approached from behind by a dog who growled and kept aproaching. I very loudly yelled "NO! BAD DOG!" My pup hit the deck and made a very confused face. The approaching dog seemed less phased about my yelling and more focused on the (then) 45# pit who was looking very afraid of me. After it noticed my dog submit it decided to go away. (Dog was a long haired black dog)

Observations:
I never understood dog mentality before I decided to get my current dog. I read into every bit of dog behaviour book I could get my hands on. Things like "alpha personality", "pack mentality" and "body language" were completely new to me.

After gaining new knowledge I looked back on my previous dogs and realized I had never assumed the alpha role. My previous dog (10 years prior) was a chihuahua that snapped at everyone. She was victim to my failure to be a leader, and my failure to properly socialize her. She was trying to protect her pack (me) from danger (everyone else).

My family still doesnt understand dog thinking and get mad that I make him wait before petting him, that I always eat before feeding him, that I make him wait until I enter a door before he can. But as a result he is very well mannered and knows who is the boss.

My dog is the offspring of the kindest most loveable dogs Ive ever encountered. I was worried about raising him poorly because he is a pitbull. I wanted a clone of the two dogs that had created him. I think Ive done pretty well. His biggest fault is jumping on new people that come over, he thinks hes a lap dog. And if youre a girl, you will be covered in fur and kisses before you leave my house.

Ironically: His "Mamadog" is forbidden from riding in a car with my best friends daughter as per a clause in the parenting plan, ONLY because she is a pitbull. Which always cracks me up because she has protected his daughter from a "stranger" and lets his daughter pull her ears and has never been agressive towards anyone (except the "stranger").

(BTW: the "stranger" was visiting family that wanted to pick up his daughter who was playing outside. Mamadog got between his daughter and the new person when they tried to grab her.)

My previous dog (10 years prior) was a chihuahua that snapped at everyone.

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Pretty typical for Chihuahuas. Evil little twerps. I've worked with mine for five years and he's still evil. He bit Sugarpop...the new Pit...full in the face earlier today. Poor Sugar cried and turned and ran from him with him snarlin' and snappin' at her until I grabbed him.

If Chihuahuas weighed 50 pounds, we'd hafta shoot'em on sight. I'm convinced of it.

His "Mamadog" is forbidden from riding in a car with my best friends daughter as per a clause in the parenting plan, ONLY because she is a pitbull. Which always cracks me up because she has protected his daughter from a "stranger" and lets his daughter pull her ears and has never been aggressive towards anyone (except the "stranger").

(BTW: the "stranger" was visiting family that wanted to pick up his daughter who was playing outside. Mamadog got between his daughter and the new person when they tried to grab her.)

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And that's pretty typical Pit behavior. Although not normally human aggressive, they "read" people in quick-time, and they become extremely protective if they sense a threat, especially if children are involved.

Two of mine are all over any visitor with friendly gestures. The other one was badly abused, and depending on your size/shape/weight, she'll either ignore you or hide. Walk in and start roughing people up, and you'd have yourself a genuine problem.